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Following are the requests for Federal Government support that our members have developed over the last week in light of the risks to women's and children's safety during the COVID-19 pandemic. Our understanding of what is needed is evolving with the progress of the pandemic and the adaptions required, but this is our starting point [...]

This article by AWAVA's Program Manager Dr Merrindahl Andrew was originally published by With Her In Mind and can be viewed here. For more detail about the support AWAVA is requesting from the Federal Government read our post here. As self-isolation becomes the norm, Dr Merrindahl Andrew, Program Manager for Australian Women Against Violence [...]

Photo by Merrindahl Andrew The year 2020 will mark the 25th anniversary of the adoption of the Beijing Declaration and Platform of Action (1995), which affirmed that gender equality is a human right and a condition for social justice. From 24 to 26 November 2019 a Beijing+25 civil society forum for the [...]

In April 2019, the Migration Amendment (Family Violence and Other Measures) Act commenced, changingthe previous arrangements for partner visas. Previously, the visa application and sponsorship application were lodged together. A valid visa application could be lodged prior to the sponsorship being approved. Under the new arrangements, the sponsorship must be lodged and assessed first. [...]

Photo by Franki Chamaki on Unsplash In early 2018, Google has launched a website titled “Me Too Rising” [1] that visualises trends of web searches of across space and time at a global scale, noting cities where a markedly high proportion of total searches are for “MeToo”. Me Too is a movement [...]

There is an important discussion happening about violence against women: even if gender equality is necessary to end this violence, are governments being too complacent in accepting that rates of violence will not reduce until we achieve greater gender equality? Is primary prevention being used as a cover for lack of action on keeping [...]

An ongoing issue, not a new campaign. EROC Australia has noted that “rape and sexual assault are not new problems at Australian universities” and “student activists have been urging university administrators to address the high levels of sexual violence faced by women in university communities since at least the early 1970s”. The following examples of [...]

AWAVA recommends that, in working to end violence against women, all parties: Commit to co-designing policies and programs with the women’s services sector and community-led organisations Work with peaks, AWAVA and other representative bodies who are experts in the field Test proposals in conversation with the sector before deciding on them Avoid poorly-designed and ineffective [...]

Women’s safety advocates last week raised serious concerns about the Commonwealth’s grants program for ‘Specialised Family Violence Services’. This blog post recounts how the issue has progressed, outlines AWAVA’s concerns, and explains how this case exemplifies why the specialist women’s services sector needs to be involved in a process of co-design before grants go out [...]

On 2-3 July 2018, the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women reviewed Australia's record on women's rights. As well as a report by the Australian Government, the CEDAW Committee was informed by civil society organisations, including AWAVA through our Shadow Report on violence against women. Other Australian NGOs and [...]

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AWAVA acknowledges that we operate on stolen Ngunnawal and Ngambri lands. We wish to acknowledge all other Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia and recognise their continuing connection to lands, waters and communities. We pay our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures; and to Elders both past and present. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples should be aware that this website may contain images or names of people who have since passed away.